House Z

House Z

Thanos, Limnos, Greece / 2012 – Phase 1

On a small, peripheral plot in the village of Thanos on the island of Limnos, the opportunity arose to design a summer house for a family of four. The design process began with the desire to incorporate windows/panels of varying sizes, positioned at specific points and sliding into wall recesses. Simultaneously, a semi-outdoor multipurpose space was explored — one that serves as a carport, canopy, and secondary entrance to the house. The stone construction considers the use of two types of local stone, referencing traditional buildings of the region. Minimal formal moves define the interior spaces, while the principal living room carries the ‘sensation’ of an enclosed and protected semi outdoor space, connecting effortlessly or at will to the exterior landscape. The southern edge of the plot, interrupted by a public footpath, is developed as a protective canopy area with views toward the sea, the village, and the natural terrain. All vertical structural supports are stone-built, while the horizontal elements are formed from reinforced concrete. Due to the limited plot size and the expressive nature of the materials, the roof is “dedicated” to the outdoors, taking the form of a terrace or rooftop garden.